The Couple
Annie Lee and Tad Ro had worked at the same mobile startup in Los Angeles for two years before realizing they had anything in common. Then one day, a small personal detail emerged: Annie, a product manager, had gone to college in Michigan; Tad, now a chief digital officer, was born there. "That simple fact sparked a friendship," says Annie. Even as the Mitten State fans stayed in the friends zone, they started spending more and more time together. "There was no one moment we decided to date," says Annie. "It all happened very naturally."
Things continued that way for more than two years, until Tad asked Annie to marry him during a weekend getaway to the central California coast. "He gravitates to the unexpected," says Annie, describing Tad's surprise proposal on a white-sand beach. But on that day, Tad shocked even himself when he reached into his jacket pocket and came up empty-handed. "He raced back to the car, where he'd left the ring, and we had take two," recalls Annie, laughing.
Locking down the perfect venue for an elegant outdoor affair took a solid three months, but once the date was set—the last one available that year at Beverly Hills's Greystone Mansion—the planning was on. "We knew what we wanted," says Annie of designing their September 21, 2013, wedding. She handled the décor, and Tad chose the music, including a string quartet that played "Gabriel's Oboe," the theme from 1986's The Mission, as Annie walked down the aisle in the mansion's garden. With 175 loved ones present, Tad's childhood friend officiated the ceremony, which ended with a short Christian prayer led by a pastor. Then it was on to the celebrating: A friend played a baby grand piano as partygoers sipped cocktails on the terrace and dined on black kale salad, short ribs, and sea bass in the courtyard.
All the couple's careful plans went like clockwork, but Tad couldn't resist shocking his new wife with one more unexpected element. Peeping out from his suit pants were orange-and-black San Francisco Giants socks, a tribute to his favorite team. "That cracked me up," says Annie. "I love him for that." And, of course, for so much else.
The Stationery Suite
Annie hand-cut Japanese papers to line the suite's dove-gray envelopes.
Getting Ready
Annie got ready for her ceremony surrounded by her four bridesmaids, all in Simply Bridal, inside Greystone Mansion. "The room had a lot of natural light," she says.
The Wedding Party
The couple chose a mix of friends from childhood and adulthood as attendants.
Pretty Posies
Bridesmaids held nosegays of garden roses, eucalyptus, and astilbes.
The Programs
Gold-framed photos of the duo flanked a box of ceremony programs.
The Ceremony
"With the rosebushes and the fountain—the garden at the mansion was so gorgeous—we kept the rest of the ceremony décor very minimal," says Annie.
The Fashions
Tad, in Burberry, and Annie, in a blush Reem Acra gown, slipped away to the venue's terrace post-vows.
A Delicate Topper
The bride's mother found Annie's jeweled headpiece in a Seoul, South Korea, boutique.
The Photo Op
Annie, here with her groom on a cypress-lined path, wore a custom cathedral-length Atelier by Dawn veil.
Family Ties
The newlyweds with Annie's parents. "When it comes to fashion," she says, "I look up to my mom," who wore a traditional hanbok.
A Historic Setting
Built in 1927, Greystone Mansion sits on 18.3 acres with sweeping views of Los Angeles. Its terrace was used for the alfresco cocktail hour.
The Reception
At the reception, a mix of rectangular and circular tables ringed the mansion's stone courtyard.
The Place Settings
Olive branches, scattered on tables and printed on menus, added earthy charm to gold-rimmed china.
The First Dance
The newlyweds swayed to Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You" for their first dance as husband and wife.
The Cake
Whipped frosting cloaked the guava and passion-fruit chiffon cake.
Caffeine Fix
The couple's local java joint Civil Coffee provided the late-night fuel needed to continue the party.
Second Look
After the reception, Annie changed into a beaded ivory dress that she designed with her mother. "I wanted something a bit old Hollywood," says Annie. "I worked on the design and my mom helped me pick the fabrics."
Sources
Location: City of Beverly Hills Greystone Mansion
Day-of Event Coordination: Spark Event Consulting
Catering: Alan Jackson Catering
Bride's Bouquet: Mille Fiori Floral Design
Photography: KT Merry
Stationery: Sun Kim Design [invites, programs, menus]; Presshaus LA [escort cards, table numbers, signage, and calligraphy]; Antiquaria [return address stamp]
Cake: King's Hawaiian Bakery
Music: Angelica Strings [quartet]; DJ Lady Sinclair
Rentals: Town & Country Event Rentals [furniture]; Found Vintage Rentals; Classic Party Rentals [tabletop]
Videography: 202 Pictures
Hair and Makeup: Hair Day
Barista: Civil Coffee